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A Stickler? Hardly. I find it strange that _The New Yorker_ has been slighted for listing the many errors in Truss's book. One review mentions that _The New Yorker_ "delighted in pointing out the errors." Another said "at least they're honest errors." The trouble with this sentimental defense is that punctuation errors in any book constitute a subject for correction; punctuation errors in a punctuation book give us a reason to pull that book from the shelves. Why would anyone want to pay for something laced with the errors it purports to correct? Truss uses mixed methods of punctuation for the same category of entry, incorrectly omits or applies commas to nonrestrictive clauses, uses parentheses to set off independent clauses, and will likely corrupt its readers' purer use of the colon and semi-colon. In addition to its blatant errors, the book champions certain choices of style without providing reasons for its position. The choices are highly questionable. The semi-colon should not be promoted. It's an end-stop form of punctuation and often unnecessary. I used one above to link sequential clauses directly related to the same subject. In a list of one or more elements containing a comma, the semi-colon is used to separate those elements, and the list is preceded by a colon according to a standard hierarchy of punctuation. Truss misuses the colon several times, including in this statement: "Punctuation is a means, and its end is: helping the reader to hear, to follow." Beyond this error is the less obvious but equally dangerous approach to grammar that favors intrusive punctuation. The word should suffice. The period and comma are usually sufficient. Unfortunately, some American readers likely have the impression that a British "stickler" for grammar must surely know more than we barbarian minimalists. Perhaps one benefit of _Eating, Shoots & Leaves_ is that is debunks this notion. Otherwise, what we have is the development of a cult of little knowledge. I'd like to see Truss's book set the precedent for an equally clever and salable approach to punctuation that's also properly punctuated.